Imagine Coldplay: LOL, I knew that! Just trying to mess with you ;)

The Not-So-Ultimate Writer: Yes, it would be if Dewey didn't make amends with everyone else before the dinner itself. Stay tuned ;)

rosiesj: Hello Rosie! Well, wait no further, because the new chapter is here!

Boss Teal: Haha, no, they didn't get married, I just use the word "honeymoon phase", when 2 characters begin dating :) You know, Insurance has a lot of potential, and for a first story, it's very well written! If you ever need help, or advice, or an editor, just PM me :)

Guest: Thank you :)))

Lilbree: A lot has happened indeed! And me too! Dewey does have to face the whole family, and that'll come up soon. And thank you for reading :)

Guest: Aww, no problem!

Tbo: Good to hear from you, my man! Haven't seen you since mid OTLTA :)

92 reviews? At chapter 11? We hit 30 in 9 chapters in OTLTA, so it's great to see this!

Here is Chapter 12 :) I will be shooketh if we reach 100 :)

ooo

Dewey took a deep breath as he stood in front of Webby's apartment—despite everything that had happened last night, and the fact that he'd spent the day with her, he still couldn't quite believe that he had been invited to be here again. When he'd left 3 years ago, he'd never thought he'd be back, hell, when he fled down the stairwell just over a month ago, he was certain it would be for the last time.

But here he was.

His hand began shaking as he built up the courage to knock on the door to Webby's apartment. He could do this: he had to face his brothers, Violet, and Lena. Then he could clear his conscience. He could finally say that he had stopped running from his past mistakes; that he had manned up, and faced the consequences of his previous actions. That he could start afresh with Webby.

God, this was huge.

He could do this.

He had to do this.

Dewey withdrew his hand, and closed his eyes, taking a few last calming breaths. He eventually curled his hand into a fist, and raised it, ready to knock, until…

"So, you're really here." a quiet voice said, making him jump.

Shocked, he spun around to come face to face with his older brother—Huey gazed at him, his expression passive, like he were deciding whether to hug him, or be furious with him. Maybe both.

Dewey swallowed, unsure of how to start the long awaited conversation. "Yeah, I uh, I guess I am," he replied weakly as he studied the man in front of him, noticing the little changes 3 years had made. He looked a little more grown up, more comfortable within his skin.

Huey continued to stare at him, and he couldn't really blame him. Dewey forced himself to stay, no matter how uncomfortable he was with the situation.

"I just…" Huey muttered more to himself than to Dewey. "I just can't believe you're actually here, I mean right here after all this time."

"Me neither, it's all a little surreal," Dewey admitted quietly. Huey shook his head after a moment, obviously trying to get over the shock.

"Can we talk first, alone?" he gestured to the apartment behind him—his and Boyd's.

"S-sure," Dewey stammered, not looking forward to this.

He abandoned his brothers, and betrayed them. In the process, Dewey had hurt both him and Louie: it wasn't going to be a pleasant conversation.

With a final glance at him, Huey nodded, then opened the door to his former apartment, walking inside. Throwing one last look at the apartment opposite, where Webby no doubt was waiting for him, Dewey followed. His eyes quickly scanned the apartment, still unable to believe he was back here.

It felt so weird, so bizarre.

Huey turned to face him, and Dewey took a deep breath, trying to prepare himself for the upcoming talk, deciding that he needed to go first—he needed to try and explain, or at the very least apologize to him. If Huey got to speak first, he might not get a chance, before he was kicked back onto the streets, and told to leave them alone for good.

"Look," Dewey started, "For what it's worth, I'm really sorry, Huey, truly sorry. I was an idiot, a complete ass. You didn't deserve it, you deserved a lot more than your brother just walking out on you with no explanation. If you can't forgive me then I totally get that."

He looked down, unable to meet Huey's intense eyes any longer. He desperately prayed he could fix this somehow. Fix the hurt from 3 years ago. Fix the roots of their brotherhood that used to be so strong. Fix the fact he didn't want any bad blood between them any longer. If he wanted any kind of relationship with Webby, Huey had to accept him, and that was a big ask.

"I hated you for a while," Huey spoke quietly, and Dewey closed his eyes at the words, pained although he expected it, and fully deserved it. "Hated you more than I can remember hating anyone. Even more than Mom, after she left us for 10 years. After not having a mother in our lives for a decade, I thought that was a good enough reason for us to never leave each other's sides!" Huey was angry now, pointing accusingly at Dewey. "Everyone was so upset! Uncle Donald couldn't understand what had happened. Once it became clear you left by choice, it was too much."

Dewey watched as Huey paced around, trying to control his emotions, but he understood how challenging that was for somebody like Huey—he was the angry triplet, born and raised in a family full of hot headed people. And to make matters worse, Dewey had packed up his bags, and left him. He felt his throat swell up at the thought of Huey waking up, and realizing that he had lost another close family member: this time, by choice.

Huey wasn't finished. "Then Max left, and Webby was just a shell of her former self! Completely broken, and every time someone said your name she'd look so sad and distraught… and I hated you for that! I blamed you for what was happening to her. Then, every Christmas and New Year, we couldn't celebrate because of you… you were like this dark cloud hanging over us! Some reminder that someone we'd trusted for years, that we had been best friends with, abandoned us, and chose to leave us behind without so much as a goodbye!" Huey spat venomously. "I can't tell you how often I've rehearsed in my head, what I'd say if I ever saw you again."

Dewey nodded slowly, swallowing as he looked up and met his older brother's eyes steadily. "Now's your chance."

Huey shook his head. "It's different now, too much has changed," he dismissed, shaking his head.

"Meaning?" Dewey asked, curious.

"I didn't know what you were going through when you decided to leave. I didn't realize how you felt…" he cleared his throat, looking away a little awkwardly. "You know, how you felt about Webby."

"Oh." Dewey squeaked, scratching the back of his neck.

Huey shook his head. "I'm still angry, still hurt by everything you did, Dewey… but, now I can understand it more," Huey confessed a little awkwardly. "Remember when Violet moved away from Duckburg to spend a year with her biological mother?"

Dewey slowly nodded—he remembered driving Violet to the airport a couple of years ago, and remembered how nervous and anxious she was about meeting her biological mother for the first time.

Huey continued. "I thought if I spent some time away from her, I wouldn't be as hung up on her as before, but when she came back, I was still in love with her. But s-she found this boyfriend, and brought him home with her."

Dewey watched as Huey sighed, running his hands through his hair.

"The fact that she chose him instead of me? It really sucked." Huey admitted, his voice soft, and Dewey understood that he was still recovering from his recent breakup with Violet. Webby had said they had broken up due to a heated argument, and how Huey and Violet let their anger overcome them. Dewey guessed one thing led to the next, resulting in the breakup.

Huey continued. "And, even though he was just some stranger, it hurt. I can't imagine what it would have felt like if she'd gotten with… Boyd for example. If I had to see them together all the time, and be reminded that I'd lost her to a friend. I don't think I would have survived that. So, since this has all come to light, I do understand your motives, and…" he trailed off, unable to find the words he wanted.

"It was difficult," Dewey finally picked up. "It was a horrible time, and I really wouldn't wish it on anybody. I felt trapped in this endless loop, and I couldn't see any way out. Even so, if I could go back and change my actions I would, Huey, I really would. You guys are my family, the best family ever, and I shouldn't have thrown that away, not for anything. I've regretted it ever since." he admitted.

Huey nodded, running his fingers through his hair, before turning and leaning against the kitchen counter. Dewey's eyes tracked him, wishing he could read him better, like he used to be able to: not now though, too much had changed.

"Webby's crazy about you," Huey informed him, "She uh, she's been pretty unstoppable when she found out you were back in Duckburg."

Dewey offered him a small curve of a smile, quick, hesitant, and gone within seconds. "I'm still crazy about her too."

Huey nodded again, looking down at the floor as Dewey swallowed, trying to decide what to say as a tense silence began to fall over them.

"I'm, uh sorry about you and Vi," he finally offered, wincing as it sounded lame to his own ears. "I mean, I knew things were going great before, but I never expected you would break up."

"Yeah, well…" Huey shrugged a little.

Dewey nodded, grimacing at his tone.

"But it's alright now," Huey surprised him by continuing. "It was a horrible time, and it took us awhile, but we're good friends."

Dewey studied him again, not able to believe that Huey had matured so much from the dorky, Junior Woodchuck obsessed kid he'd once known.

"You've really grown up," Dewey observed quietly.

"Things have changed a lot since you left," Huey mused quietly, with no accusation in his voice. "I had to grow up, but I, uh I still have my Junior Woodchuck Guidebooks in my bedroom."

A large smile spread across Dewey's face, and he was pleased that his brother hadn't completely changed.

"What grown man doesn't?" Dewey chuckled, and he was pleased to hear Huey chuckle back.

"I've missed you, Dew." Huey smiled.

Dewey blinked, surprised: in the thousands of times he'd pictured a reunion with Huey, it had never gone this smoothly, never. He should have given his brother a lot more credit.

"I missed you too," he admitted.

"I'll try to move on from it all," Huey eventually promised quietly but sincerely. "You're still my little brother, we've got a lot of history, and I'd like to try and salvage that, but you have to promise me something." Huey said seriously.

Dewey nodded.

"That you will never hurt her, Dewey, I mean it. She's already gone through so much because of you, and I know you weren't thinking straight, and all before, but if you ever leave again, just walk out on her if things get too hard, I swear, I will hunt you down, and kill you—"

"It's not going to happen, Huey," he told him quickly, confidently. "I've spent the last 3 years trying to function without her, and I can't. She is everything to me, and for whatever reason, I've been given a second chance! Something I know I don't deserve. I may be stupid, but I'm not stupid enough to throw this away, not again." He waited a beat, then tried a cheeky grin, testing the waters. "And no offense, but there's not many trained killers amongst the nerdy crowd."

He held his breath, waiting to see how his attempt at humor had been received. Thankfully after a beat, Huey's serious face softened slightly, and he chuckled ruefully.

"I'd almost forgotten your unique sense of humor."

"It's still there, I'm afraid," he admitted, pleased that Huey's smile widened.

"Good, I wouldn't have it any other way."

Huey then took a step towards him, his arms wide, and Dewey accepted the hug gratefully. Holding his brother close for a moment, silently apologizing for everything he'd put him through and everything he'd missed. Huey rubbed his shoulder, the way he used to when they were younger: it would take time, but both were willing to fix the relationship that had frayed.

"Don't let me interrupt." a cheeky voice came from the door.

The pair broke apart to reveal Louie, who offered them a small nod. He tried his best to look casual, like Dewey hadn't left him for 3 years, but of course, he knew better. Dewey walked towards him, and wordlessly gave him a hug. Louie melted into his embrace, burying his face into his shoulder, beginning to tremble—unlike Huey, who needed to be confrontational, Dewey knew his younger brother didn't like that—so he just held him, allowing the emotions to pass through them like a broken dam. Louie stopped trembling, and wiped some tears from his eyes.

"I-I can't believe you're here," Louie managed in a small voice.

Dewey set his hands on Louie's broad shoulders. "I know, Louie, and I need you to know that I'm home for good, okay? I am never going to leave you guys again."

Louie managed a shaky nod, and Dewey simply held him again. He shot a look at Huey, and he didn't hesitate to join the embrace to comfort their youngest brother.

"Whoops, ever so sorry!" a painfully polite voice came from the door.

The brothers broke their embrace to find Boyd holding a garbage bag.

"Webby just wanted me to drop this off." he said, dropping the garbage bag by the door.

"Um, Boyd?" Dewey asked hesitantly, turning towards the man he'd run from all those weeks ago. "Could, uh, could you possibly do me a favor, and let Webby know that we're over here? I don't want her to think I've gone MIA already," he winced apologetically.

"Uh, yeah, sure," Boyd looked between the 3 of them once again, and nodded before leaving his apartment, shutting the door behind him.

"He's a good guy, one of the best I know," Huey said sincerely, as Dewey turned back to him. "He's very bright, and he has a big… heart."

Dewey frowned. "Why'd you hesitate?"

"Well, he has no heart." Huey supplied, unaware that Dewey didn't know what Boyd truly was.

"Say what?" Dewey asked, confused.

Louie burst out laughing. "He's a robot! He was 'made' by Gyro, but I don't care. He's one of us, whether Gyro likes it or not."

Dewey paled. Boyd was a robot? That certainly explained his freakish strength, and the fact that when they had collided in front of the sandwich stop, he had felt as if he were hit with a ton of metal.

"Well… it's not the most surprising thing I've heard." he offered.

The 3 brothers looked at each other, and Huey burst out laughing—maybe it sounded a bit hysterical, but Huey didn't care—he was joined by Dewey and Louie immediately, and the 3 brothers clutched onto each other for support as their stomachs began aching from laughing so hard.

Dewey wiped a tear. "I got that impression, from the lunch we shared. I'm glad you guys were able to find some new friends, and managed to keep the gang going."

"Yeah," Louie managed with a small chuckle. "It's a good group, a really good group," he looked up meeting his eyes. "But there's room for one more."

Dewey smiled, ducking his head for a moment. "Thanks," he finally nodded, his voice a little hoarse. "I know it's not just gonna click back into place, but I'd love to try… assuming the others want me too."

"They will," Huey nodded confidently, "Webby definitely does, Boyd likes you, Violet misses you, and Lena? Well she's a little pissed."

"Just a little?" he asked skeptically. "I have visions of her cutting off my testicles, and serving them to me on a silver platter," he shuddered slightly. "I still vividly remember her stories about her past… they were pretty scary."

Louie laughed, remembering how terrified Dewey was of his girlfriend. "I know, she's a tough cookie, but she'll forgive you. She may not admit it, but she's missed you too."

"We'll see," he sighed.

Dewey was grateful for Huey and Louie forgiving him, he had expected it to be a lot harder, and he knew there was work to be done. But the fact that they were willing to try was more than enough for Dewey. He just hoped Lena would hear him out, and not just for Webby's sake. He wanted to build genuine bridges with all of them, and try to move past all this. He wanted to focus on the future; a future where he wouldn't let them down again.

"Come on," Huey clapped his shoulder. "We should probably get over there before Webby freaks out."

Dewey shuddered. "Yeah, she's scary when she gets worried."

Huey smiled ruefully, before staring at him.

"What?" he frowned.

"It's," he shook his head. "It's nothing really, it's just… I still can't believe you're actually here. Actually back."

"I know," Dewey nodded in understanding. "It's all a little crazy, but at the same time it feels… right, you know? Right to be back."

Louie agreed, before walking past him and opening the door, waiting. With a deep breath Dewey glanced around at his old apartment one last time, before stepping back into the hallway. He stood outside the door, just staring at it.

"You okay?" Huey asked.

"Yeah," he let out a heavy breath, his eyes still fixed in front of him. "Just, you know," he shrugged. "This used to be my apartment."

"And I'm sure it will feel like that again, just give it time." Huey said gently.

Louie moved past him, and gripped the handle. "It'll be fine," he promised quietly before pushing open the door. "Hey!" he called loudly, walking in.

With a final deep breath, Dewey stepped over the threshold, his eyes automatically finding Webby's. He drew courage and the strength he needed from seeing how happy and relieved she was to see him. They may have spent the day together, and only been apart for a couple of hours, but he still couldn't get over that she was actually there.

"Dewey!" she rushed over, leaving the oven, giving him a deep kiss. He heard Louie make gagging noises behind him. "You made it!"

He smiled. "I managed to remember the way here," he quipped, before his voice softened. "Plus, I wouldn't miss it for anything."

With a huge smile, she finally broke the contact to acknowledge Huey and Louie, before pulling Dewey further into the apartment. He looked around, taking it all in, his breath catching in his throat. It was all so overwhelming; everything looked and felt so familiar, yet somehow so different.

He couldn't believe he was actually back. Webby dragged him to the sofa, where 2 people were seated.

"You've met Boyd," she gestured to the man on the couch who offered a small wave.

"Sure," he nodded at him, he probably needed to apologize for the way he'd left the apartment all those weeks ago.

"And of course, you know Violet." she smiled.

"Yeah," he offered her a small smile. "How could I forget?"

"Oh, Dewey…" Violet murmured, getting up and giving him a tight hug. "It's so nice to see you again… it's been a while."

He wrapped his arms around her smaller figure, and gently rested his chin atop of her head. "Yeah," he nodded. "I've missed you, Vi."

The embrace lasted a minute longer, and Violet felt herself blush at how easily she melted into his arms: he hugged exactly like Huey, and she found herself craving it a lot more. They pulled apart, and she gave him a soft kiss on the cheek, letting him know that everything would be okay.

Dewey gave her a grateful look, and looked around for the person he was most fearful of. "Where's Lena?"

"She's running late," Webby told him softly, she was still touching his arm, and Dewey was grateful for the contact. It made him feel grounded. "Want a drink?"

"I think I need a drink, especially if I have to deal with Lena," he smirked, and everyone laughed.

He allowed her to drag him over to the kitchen, and away from the others, although he could feel all their eyes on him.

"You okay?" she asked quietly, handing him a shot of Quack Daniels. He downed it before answering.

"Yeah," he nodded looking around once more. "It's just so surreal you know. I can't believe everything that's happened. It's crazy."

"You're happy though, right?" she asked, almost fearful.

"Webbs," he said softly, cupping her cheek, "I couldn't have asked for more. I still wouldn't blame any of you for kicking my ass, and never speaking to me again."

"No one's going to do that," she promised. "How did it go with your brothers?"

"Good," he offered her a small smile, "A lot better than I'd ever imagined—"

Suddenly the apartment door flew open.

"Is he here yet? Is he—" Dewey froze as her eyes landed on him. "You're here."

"Uhm yeah," he swallowed, grateful for Webby's hand squeezing his own hand reassuringly. "H-hi Lena."

He stared at her: like the others, she'd changed, matured since he'd last seen her.

"If you guys want to talk you can use my bedroom," Webby suggested quietly. "You've got a bit of time before the food's ready."

Lena nodded, walking past him and straight into Webby's bedroom. Dewey swallowed again. He could do this. He knew Lena wouldn't make it easy, but he didn't deserve easy either.

"Good luck," Webby whispered, and he looked at her, remembering that it was all worth it. She made it worth it.

With a smile, he released her hand, and walked passed the couch, feeling the others' eyes on him as he entered the room. Turning to close the door, he yelped in surprise as she smacked the back of his head.

"You're a complete ass." she spat.

"I guess that was deserved," he muttered, rubbing the back of his head.

He allowed his eyes to briefly flicker across Webby's bedroom, before falling onto the angry woman in front of him.

"I've had a lot of people abandon me, Dewey, lots! But I didn't expect it from you." she snapped.

"I know, and I'm sorry," he said quietly. "I didn't expect it from me either."

"You could have talked to me, I offered so many times!" she cried.

"I know," he swallowed guiltily. "And I was an idiot for not taking you up on it. I just… you were her roommate, too close for comfort. I just had it in my head that I shouldn't talk to anyone."

He could feel her eyes on him, studying him intently.

"I know I was a complete ass," he offered her the briefest hint of a smile. "And I'm sorry I hurt you, all of you, that was never my intention. I thought you'd all just hate me, and then move on. I dealt with the whole situation wrong, and I've regretted it ever since."

"Move on?" Lena asked in disbelief. "I know you never had the most self confidence, but did you really think we'd be able to just 'move on'? Just like that? Forget all about you?"

He swallowed, nodding, "I was at a pretty low point," he admitted. "Thought I was being more trouble than I was worth so…"

Suddenly her arms were around him, giving him a tight hug, which he accepted, confused.

"You really are an ass! You were one of us. You meant a lot to each of us, and you shouldn't have ever doubted it." she murmured.

He swallowed, nodding as he hugged her tightly.

"We missed you," Lena told him, pulling back slightly. "We missed your stupid jokes, lame sense of humor, and those awful puns with your name. You're back for good now? I mean Webby…"

"I'm back for good," he agreed quietly, "as long as you want me? I don't want to make anyone uncomfortable and—"

She hugged him again and he stayed silent.

"We've really gotta work on that self confidence," she sighed quietly, then shook her head, "God, how do you do it?"

"What?" he frowned.

"I wanted to hate, no, I expected to hate you, but now you've got me feeling sorry for you." she seethed.

"One of my special talents?" he joked lightly, relieved when she smiled.

"I also forgot your legendary wit," she grinned.

"I Dew my best!" he winked.

They stared at each other a moment and finally she laughed.

"Welcome back, Dewey."

He shook his head. "You don't have to forgive me just like that," he argued. "I don't deserve it."

"I told you already to work on that confidence," she smiled, her hand touching his arm briefly. "It won't happen overnight, I'll still be watching you close Duck. But, we're good friends, and besides, Webby's crazy about you. If you're here to stay, then I'd never make her choose between us and you."

"Me neither," he promised softly. "And I am here to stay. I'm never doing that again."

She eyed him for a long moment before finally nodding. "I want to believe you Dewey but I should warn you you're still on my hit list."

"Okay," he blinked surprised.

She smirked. "But with time you'll be able to come off it."

"I hope so," he grinned, relieved when her smile widened.

Lena snorted. "Then we better get back out there, and prove to Webby I didn't skin you alive."

"I would laugh, but part of me assumes you've considered doing that more than once?" he asked cautiously.

She shrugged. "It was the backup option if you didn't behave," she smirked. "Come on."

She linked her arm through his and they turned towards the bedroom door.

"Lena?" He paused and she turned curious. "I really am sorry."

"You sound like a broken record already," she joked before turning serious. "I know, Dewey, I know." she said softly.

He met her eyes, studying them for a moment, before nodding and they resumed their walk. As predicted 5 heads shot up, and Dewey grimaced. His eyes sought out Webby's across the room, giving her a small smile, which she returned. Releasing Lena he walked back to the kitchen, and Webby smiled at him, her hand rubbing his arm, both aware that every slightest interaction between them was probably being watched and analyzed, but not caring.

"Did it go okay?" she asked softly.

"Yeah," he nodded, a soft smile touching his lips. "Everyone's been so… nice. I didn't expect that, never in a million years."

"They've missed you," Webby swallowed, her eyes bright as she stepped closer to him. "We all have, but you're home now, and that's what matters."

Getting caught up in her eyes, he momentarily forgot the others, and leaned forwards, his soft lips finding hers. It was a brief kiss, but he savoured it. As they pulled away they shared a smile.

"Go, mingle with the others," she shooed him away gently. "I need to cook, and I know they have questions for you."

"Sending me alone and unarmed into the warzone?" he asked in mock shock.

She smirked. "I'll come rescue you if needed, I promise."

He stared into her eyes for a moment longer, then nodded. "Okay."

With a deep breath, he pulled his eyes away from hers, and onto the others, who all quickly looked away, trying to make it look as if they hadn't been spying. He slowly walked away from Webby, and towards them, telling himself it would be fine.

"Hey," he greeted warily, hovering by the couch.

"Hey," Huey replied. "Uh, feel free to sit down," he gestured to the empty armchair.

With a nod of appreciation, he took it, swallowing as they all stared at him expectantly. God, he felt like the world's biggest freak right now. Uncomfortable, he dropped his gaze, his hands nervously gripping one another, as his knees started to bounce. He knew all this tension was his own doing, he was the one that had tried to sabotage their friendships, so knew he had to be patient as they were slowly rebuilt. Still, it was unnerving. Very unnerving.

"It's just so weird you're really here," Lena broke the silence, causing him to look up at her. "I mean Dewey Duck is back in the group, hanging out at my apartment, while Webby cooks dinner. It's so surreal."

The others nodded.

"Even for me," Boyd said. "I've heard so many stories about you, and since your return to Duckburg, Webby's had us all out looking for you. It's strange you've actually been found. You're here."

"Yeah, uh," he cleared his throat a little. "For me too. As much as I wanted to, I never thought I'd be surrounded by these walls again. Never thought I'd get the chance to be here with you guys. It's crazy… good, but crazy."

"It's crazy how we randomly bumped into each other in that sandwich place," Boyd joined in.

"That's not crazy, Boyd, it's fate," Lena informed him. "The universe knew it was time for him to come back."

"Sure, Lena," Huey scoffed as Lena shot daggers at him.

Dewey grinned a little, his body relaxing a fraction. He remembered Lena and Huey's endless arguments between science and magic.

"It's true!" she told him. "My magic even predicted it."

"What? When?"

"Really cool!" Boyd chimed in.

As Lena went on about some visit to Magica few months back, Dewey found his attention drifted to the woman in the kitchen. He knew he should be paying attention to his new friends, but he couldn't help it, she was addictive. His eyes sought her out, a warmth overcoming him when he discovered she was watching him too. He offered her a shy smile, which she returned, before returning her attention to the oven.

"That proves nothing!" Huey's voice brought Dewey back to the group. "It was pure chance."

"Fate."

"Luck." Huey scoffed.

"Karma."

Dewey coughed. "Uhm, as much as I've missed these debates, whatever the reason for me meeting Boyd like that, I'm very grateful. And Boyd, I'm sorry for the way I ditched you. I guess it's fair to say I freaked out a little," he shrugged.

"That's okay, I totally get it," Boyd dismissed easily. "If I'd known who you were, I wouldn't have casually invited you back to your old apartment like that. Hey, maybe we can go to a basketball game sometime?"

"Sure, I'd like that," Dewey agreed, surprised but very pleased.

"All of us could go," Huey suggested. "It could be fun."

Webby walked over from the kitchen area, coming to stand beside Dewey's chair, her hand finding his shoulder automatically,

"Aw, a little bonding time. It's sweet." she smirked.

They laughed. Dewey grinned, loving being here, loving being a part of the group again, making arrangements for sports nights… it all felt so normal, like he was accepted.

"Anyway, dinner's ready."

"Smells delicious, Webbs." Lena announced, patting her friend's shoulder, to which she smiled.

"Are you doing okay?" Webby whispered, her hand reaching down to stroke his hair.

"Very okay," he grinned back, holding out a hand, and letting her pull him up with a chuckle.

"Good," she swallowed as they stared at each other for a moment.

As Webby leaned in, Dewey closed his eyes, letting the feeling of kissing her overwhelm him. It was still so new and exciting as their lips caressed each other's in a silent promise. He still couldn't believe this was all happening.

"Do you have to?" Violet teased. "We're trying to eat here."

They pulled away, and Dewey looked a little sheepish. Finding the look rather adorable, Webby placed a chaste kiss to his lips, before taking his hand, and pulling him to the table. She only released his hand at the last moment, both pleased that the others had left two free chairs next to each other.

As he ate Webby's lovely home-cooked meal, listening to the others laughter and light-hearted conversation surp him, he relaxed even more. When Webby pressed her knee to his, her hand occasionally stroking his thigh he relaxed completely, a smile spreading across his face.

He was glad to be back.

ooo

Some reunion, huh? :)

Next chapter will most likely gave Dewey's turmoil about visiting his family ;)

Until next time!

—Jordan :)